Summer Is the Coldest Time of Year - Patti Austin, Harris, James [Prod

From the mid-70s through today, Patti Austin has issued a slew of excellent jazz tinged R&B albums on a variety of labels. One that has been extremely hard to find on CD is Gettin' Away With Murder. Originally issued in 19... more &raquo85 on Warner Brothers Records, it reached # 185 on the Billboard charts. It features a host of fine musicians, including Jeff Lorber, The Brecker Brothers, Ralph MacDonald, Dan Hartman, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross & Jocelyn Brown.&laquo less

Synopsis

Album Description

From the mid-70s through today, Patti Austin has issued a slew of excellent jazz tinged R&B albums on a variety of labels. One that has been extremely hard to find on CD is Gettin' Away With Murder. Originally issued in 1985 on Warner Brothers Records, it reached # 185 on the Billboard charts. It features a host of fine musicians, including Jeff Lorber, The Brecker Brothers, Ralph MacDonald, Dan Hartman, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross & Jocelyn Brown.

CD Reviews

Murder in the best degree

Russell Robinson | don't worry about it | 07/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best if not one of the best Q-West collaborations featuring Patti Austin. It catches quite a few artists on the cusped of their careers right as R&B music is in the middle of transition. Miss. Austin's vocal range to this day is unmatched. I still get chills from "The Coldest Time of Year." The Jam/Lewis connection literally takes off with this album. "The Heat of Heat" is a perfect set up for "Saturday Love" preformed by Alexander O'Neil and Cherell. These two even gave Patti credit in the Grammy acceptance speech. Bottom line, I have this on wax and two CDs."

"Reviewer: Kirk Douglas Provo kprovo@hotmail.com
Patti Austin really can sing anything . . . and this record, her third of four for QWEST RECORDS, is a pretty diverse showcase of her prowess. The minor hit "The Heat of Heat" (written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, later of Janet Jackson fame) is included here, and it is lovingly performed in warm, knowing tones by Ms Austin. Michael Bolton's slick "Talkin' 'Bout My Baby" offers some retro-feeling rock and roll, featuring Billy Joel (among others) on back-up, while "Big Bad World" features the creme de la creme of R&B/soul in the 80s: Chaka Khan, Jocelyn Brown, and the crooner himself, Luther Vandross! There are many shades of pop, funk, soul and . . . .you name it . . . but one thing is clear: IT'S ALL GOOD! Austin always delivers, and again, it is a shame that these mostly solid tunes weren't the huge hits they should have been. The funky "Only A Breath Away," and a soulful cover of "Honey For The Bees" (Alison Moyet) are testaments of the singer's ability to swing. For a sample of an artist in complete comand of her instrument, check out Austin's "If I Believed" (from Randy Goodrum's pen) or "Summer Is The Coldest Time of Year" (a Jam-Lewis opus with tasteful classical undertones).These days there seems to be more recording artists than actual vocalists. Patti Austin is the rare gem: both. KDP"

Patti Brings "The Heat"

Shye212 | NYC | 11/17/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a Patti Austin fan since day 1, I must say that IMO "Getting Away With Murder" stands alone her best "Pop" LP to date. I own the LP, cassette and purchased the CD on German import years ago and still groove to it today. The "Jam & Lewis" cut "The Heat of Heat" is Patti at her soulful best with the songs "Only A Breath Away" & "Honey For The Bees" fast on it's heels. For the fans, who like me fell under Patti's spell with her "Quiet Storm" sound, she comes through with the hypnotic "Summer Is The Coldest Time of year" and the lush "If I Believe". My only gripe is that the single/video version of the title track was not included as a bonus cut. A MUST have for any fan."